Preamp Deal of the Century


If anyone is looking for a true "World Class" preamp at a very fair price..heed my advice. I just recieved a Supratek Syrah preamp that was hand built by Mick Maloney in Western Australia, and it is absolutely beautiful! This preamp is the best deal you will ever find. I would put it up against any preamp out there for both looks and sound. Price? $2500 for the Syrah (includes Killer Phono stage). Not into phono? Try the Chardonney line stage for $2100. Don't get me wrong, I am not associated with this company. I am just a very happy owner! This preamp is VERY dynamic, yet liquid. It conveys the sound of music better than any other preamp that I have ever heard! You can check out the Supratek website at www. cantech.net.au
slowhand
Slowhand the 5965's GE "5 Star" NOS Platinum 1% pair 1970's (equivalent to 12AV7's) can be purchased from Brendan at Tubeworld.com. He seems to have found a cache of these. Very nice tubes. I have since replaced with Tung Sols but plan to put the GE's back in with the various 12AT7's I have on hand. The mixing matching possibilities are seemingly endless but it is the only way to find the magic that just "gets it right".

So far as the ERS mod goes, what is most notable is how much quieter or blacker things become, a lower noise floor. The result of elimination of RFI which you aren't aware of until its gone. The sound is so much more relaxed and effortless yet at the same time more resolving and dynamic. The effect of this change allowed me to actually *feel* the bass from the VSM speakers which is a first. Of all the mods and tweeks I've done to the amp including Still Points and cryoed tubes,upgrading coupling caps, this one is definitely the most significant, a must.

Asa mentions a few things above concerning the Berning and Supratek combo which I would tend to very much agree with, it is imperative that the right tubes be used. The Berning could be misconstrued by some, those that have listened to SET OTL amps, yours truly included, to be a bit lean in comparison. Actually it is lean compared to a Joule (what isn't?) but which one would be more preferable? The question is rhetorical and of course taste would dictate which would be best, both are great amps but are offered as contrasts in a direct comparison of different schools of thought in how reproduced music sounds. The real point here is that mixing and matching tubes with the Berning can tailor the sound more to a particular taste and balance. I doubt that the Amperex are going to best the Tung Sols so would consider the latter mandatory for this amplifier based on its tonal balance. I will keep you posted on the Amperex when I get the chance to evaluate extensively. Too many changes at once including evaluation of speaker cables. It sure seems the Supratek is a great candidate for extensive tweeking as well.

Need some more info on the Chardonnay...

1. Does anyone have a picture of it? Can you share it (or, if you prefer, send me by e-mail)? What about the remote, is there any picture avaliable?
2. The goal is to match it with a Plinius SA-102 power amp. I am concerned (since I am not able to listen to it) with how they work together. The Plinius specs are Input Sensitivity: 0.8V RMS for rated output at 1kHz. Input Impedance: 47k Ohms. Would like to have your comments on this.

Thanks!
I think Waltersalas has the same Plinius amp. If he doesn't read this, then email him.

Lisbon--

Jazzdude is correct. I have had the Plinius SA-102 in my system for the past several months now, and it sounds great with the Syrah. Previously, I had Bel Canto EVO 200.2 amps in a monoblock configuration, and while the sound was extremely good, with no real weaknesses I could identify, I still felt something was just missing--a certain "palpability" if you will. The Plinius did make a significant difference. Now the sound is richer and deeper, and yet all the finesse of the Bel Cantos is still there, too. In other words, the palpability is there, and then some. While I am far from an expert and a relative newbie compared to others here, I think the SA-102 is an excellent amp and a very nice playmate for the Supratek. Ignore the lackluster review in TAS this month and audition one for yourself if you get the chance. Email me if you have any more questions or concerns.

happy trails...
What tubes are you guys using in the phono section of your Supratek preamps? I am still using the stock tubes, but I am in the process of getting Mullard 6GK5's. I know the Western Electric 417 is supposed to be good, but they are very expensive, if you can find them. Any other suggestions?